Give me the strength of sea waves,

that turn every retreat

into a new starting point'.

- Gabriela Mistral.

Harry pretended to listen the speech Dolores Umbridge was giving, he was really trying. But not even the little squeaks she made every now and then managed to bring him out of his trance. Seeing the Hufflepuff uniform again brought back memories that summer had failed to banish. He clenched his hands into fists and his knuckles turned pale.

Hermione whispered something in his ear, and though he didn't understand it, it was enough to make him look up. Her friend was frowning at him, looking concerned.

- Harry, are you alright?

- Sorry. I was just thinking that that woman was in my hearing at the Ministry - he whispered, loud enough for only her and Ron to hear. - She voted to expel me, as well as Fudge did.

- I do not like her, she talks as if she represented the Ministry of Magic - Hermione replied.

- She doesn't look like a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher - said Ron - She looks like a poisoned pink cupcake.

Harry smiled at his friend's comment and he smiled back. Returning to the Great Hall hurted beyond measure, he knew that few people supported his side of the story, and he was exhausted from lack of sleep, but the infinite affection he felt for Ron and Hermione filled his chest with something warm that gave him enough reason to remain there.

As the tables were filled with food, the silence of the Great Hall died and the school regained the noise that lost the year before. Ron and Hermione chatted cheerfully with their nearest housemates, and Harry tried to concentrate on the food. He felt the stares of countless students on the back of his head, heard them whispering about him and calling him a liar. He didn't even feel comfortable at the Gryffindor table, and to lose the security that his house had always given him ended up killing his hunger.

Half an hour later, Harry was walking out of the Great Hall with Hermione and Ron when they heard the giggles of several boys behind them. He recognised the voices perfectly, and pressed his lips together.

- Potter! Hey, Potter! How was your summer? You're looking better than ever- shouted Goyle several feet away from him.

- Potter, how does it feel to be considered the biggest liar in Britain? If you wanted attention you could have chosen another way, because no one believed you. - added Crabbe, causing a great number of laughs.

- Make no mistake, the biggest liar here is Dumbledore. Potter is just the old man's puppet. - spat Zabini.

Harry could take being bullied, but not with Dumbledore. He was the first to blindly believe him, and he couldn't bear to drag him down on his fault. He turned, ready to face Zabini, but ended up crashing straight into someone. With the Slytherin's tie at eye level, he looked up and was glared back at by shocked grey eyes.

He stepped back quickly and Malfoy took a step backwards in return. Beside him, Goyle was encouraging the rest of the group to reach them.

Harry frowned, he hadn't expected him to be so close because he hadn't heard him speak. And the fact that he didn't take the opportunity to spill venom was even weirder. He kept his gaze on Draco, who avoided it by staring at the ground.

Ron and Hermione stood between him and the rest of the Slytherins as they reached them seconds later. Zabini pushed through and confronted the trio.

- You're a clumsy liar - he spat, meeting Malfoy's gaze. - Draco, remember to have that shirt washed later. - he laughed. Draco raised his eyes, his facial expression changed completely and he smiled bitingly as he adjusted his tie. Blaise, satisfied with Malfoy's reaction, turned back to face Harry, who had pulled his friends aside to look directly at the bully.

- Say what you want about me, but leave Dumbledore out of this. - Harry threatened, his gaze filled with venom.

- Scary Potter. Have mercy on me - Blaise spread his arms wide, pleadingly, causing more laughter among his group.

- Let's go, they cannot be talked to - said Hermione as she grabbed Harry's arm and they turned to the stairs. Ron followed as he cursed each one of them.

The Slytherins continued to laugh and behind them, but before they were out of sight, Harry glanced over his shoulder, meeting Malfoy's eyes directly. Malfoy was not participating in the others' shouting, but was instead staring back at him with an intensity that made him frown again.

Once in the practically empty Common Room, they sat down by the fireplace. Harry collapsed onto the sofa and ran his hand through his hair. It had been the most exhausting first day he'd ever had at Hogwarts. Hermione sat to his right and Ron sat at his feet, near the fire.

- Dude, they're the same old assholes. You can't expect any better from them. - whispered Ron. Harry rested his elbows on his knees, and his chin on his fists.

- They've filled the cup. I'm tired of hearing whispers from absolutely everyone except you two. - Harry whispered heavily. Hermione sighed and Ron stared at the floor. Several minutes passed in silence until Ron looked up.

- Haven't you noticed that the only one who hasn't said anything is Malfoy? - he muttered.

- Yes, that's why I crashed into him, I didn't expect him to be right behind me - Harry replied.

- That's right, could he be sick? I hope so - snorted Ron, looking disgusted.

- He looked more like he didn't want to participate. And I'd expect it from anyone but him, to be honest - Hermione added, clearly curious.

- He could be up to something. Don't forget that his father was in the graveyard that night. In fact, Voldemort addressed him above all others. - whispered Harry, leaning back as he relaxed his posture. He tried to stop the shiver that threatened to run down his spine.

- According to my father, Lucius Malfoy was one of the closest Death Eaters to You-Know-Who during the the jury believed his story, and he got away from Azkaban. - Ron lowered his volume even more as he talked, glancing around several times in case anyone was there. - I wouldn't be surprised if his beloved son followed his steps, you know what muggles say: 'the apple never falls far from the tree'.

- It's true. If we didn't trust him before, we should trust him even less now. And we should keep an eye on him. - Hermione added as she stood up. She held out a hand to Ron to help him up, and another to Harry. Both boys accepted the help, said goodbye to their friend and headed towards the dormitories.

Of their roommates, only Neville chatted with Harry, who was truly comforted by the boy's sincere interest in his summer. The same could not be said for Dean, let alone Seamus, who looked at him with anger.

That night, when Harry was more asleep than awake, he thought he saw a pair of big grey eyes, cold and warm at the same time, looking at him closely.